Endangered…

Now it’s the Endangered Species Act itself that is endangered. Although it received overwhelming bi-partisan support when enacted in 1973*, but for years a political football, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) faces an existential challenge. The current administration this week … Continued

Do We Really Need a 9th Way to Violate Michigan’s Hunter Harassment Law?

Michigan passed a Hunter Harassment Act in the 1990s and updated it several years ago to prevent hunters from being harassed by the use of drones. Now legislation has been introduced at the behest of the hunting interests to create … Continued

Federal, State and Local Updates and Legislative Tracker to May 31, 2019

We’re 5 months into the Michigan and Congressional legislative sessions. There’s been local activity as well. Highlights include: Michigan Legislature: This month saw the introduction of a 6-bill animal-friendly bill package, which AFA’s board has voted to support: animals in … Continued

Legislative Tracker to April 25, 2019: Action Needed Opposing Pro-Hunting SRs 30 (Sandhill cranes), 38 (wolves)

Below is the full report; here’s a link to the searchable version, so you can see the bills for yourself. Since the last Tracker, the Michigan Senate Natural Resources Committee held hearings on resolutions supporting hunting of sandhill cranes and … Continued

Legislative Tracker to April 13, 2019: It’s Heating Up

Michigan  The legislature is starting to settle in, with more animal-related bills being introduced and committee hearings being scheduled on those bills. Just yesterday, April 16, HB 4455, a bill that would designate the shelter pet as the state’s official pet was … Continued

Legislative Tracker to March 22, 2019: Spring Break Edition

The Michigan Legislature is in recess for the next two weeks. We will be keeping a close eye on two animal un-friendly bills introduced earlier in March, and will keep you in the loop when action is needed. AFA’s board … Continued

Legislative Tracker to February 28, 2019: A Holding Pattern

We’ve not seen much activity in the Michigan legislature this month, as the new legislators and newly formed committees get their bearings. Additionally, the legislature was closed for several days due to weather. We are encouraged by the number of … Continued

Wrapping up the 2017-2018 Session: Our Final Legislative Tracker, to December 31, 2018

We are just now, at the end of the first week of January 2019, catching our breath from the frenetic and consequential “lame duck” session of the Michigan Legislature. The 2019-20 session will begin on January 9, 2019. Before we … Continued

Legislative Tracker to December 6, 2018: In the Midst of Michigan’s #LameDuck

With perhaps two more weeks to go, we’re closely watching several bills pending in the Michigan Legislature. The following have had some movement since the #LameDuck session began, although there are many others–both positive and negative that are listed in … Continued